Fabio Capello: Diego Simeone's tactics are smart

The Colchoneros are enjoying yet another great run in the Champions League, having beaten the Germans by 1-0 in the semi-finals, and Simeone is cementing his reputation as one of the best modern Coaches.

Under his supervision, Atletico Madrid managed to trouble such rival tacticians as Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Luis Enrique.

“Simeone always conveys three essential principles to his teams,” said Capello, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Determination, self-sacrifice, and humility. Everybody runs and fights together, with the result as their common objective.

“He's a Coach who studies his rivals in depth and the best way to play against them. Worrying about the opponent you're up against is antoher sign of humility, and above all else of intelligence. Simeone's players know that they must give 100 per cent and maybe something more. I am fascinated by his ability to convince the team of this idea.”

The Atletico Madrid Coach has, however, been accused of playing an ugly brand of football.

“Let's be serious. There's a lot of work behind Atletico's script. The planning behind dead balls is meticulous. The strategies to break down possession are studied carefully. When the team takes back the ball, they can play it vertically in a way that is impressive. Simeone is smart, and his football is smart.”

Capello was also asked whether 'Guardiolan football' was coming to an end.

“If by that we mean Guardiola himself, then his decline is still very distant. He'll do well in Manchester, and he'll work at a club willing to invest and give him the players that he asks for.

“His limits? When his teams are in possession it's hard for everyone, but in the defensive phase you can see a few cracks. I can't stand copycats though, the type of Coach who tries to replicate what has been done by braver and smarter tacticians.”

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